A Guide to Using Brass Planters

Brass planters are quite the topic of controversy for antique décor enthusiasts around the world. Of course, they simply didn’t exist in the past, and anyone suggesting the possibility of such a thing would have undoubtedly received an earful from their grandmothers had they told it back then. But time has given the idea room to slowly crawl into décor niches, antique-oriented and contemporary, alike.

While most people deliberately buy brass planters for all intents of placing plants in them, some worry about tarnishing the radiant surface and having it corrode over time. Unfortunately, it takes a lot more time for antique décor enthusiasts to muster the courage to add soil, mud, and moisture into a perfectly preserved heirloom, all to call it a brass planter.

But it is not as bad as it seems. When done the right way, brass planters add so much charm to your décor arrangements. They perfectly elevate the aesthetic appeal of a mundane space by acting as either a statement piece or an element that ties it all together.

Vessels That Can Serve as Brass Planters

There are no limits to using vessels as planters. A mini lota, or a large kunda, both do exceptionally well as planters. What matters, however, is what kind of plants you wish to place in them. There is absolutely no shame in using artificial plants for your brass vessels, and mini succulents and tulip replicas can ideally occupy small vessels into which you cannot place your live plants.

When using live plants, I tend to prefer open vessels meant for kitchen use as they tend to flare out or have wide mouths perfect for slipping in a flowering plant. Traditional kitchen vessels also have a tin alloy lining on the inside called eiyam, which protects the inner surface from corrosions when in contact with acidic food. In this case, however, the eiyam alloy protects the brass from corrosion due to excessive and continuous dampness.

Understanding Brass Planters

As straightforward as it may seem, setting up your brass planters might not be an easy feat. There are numerous things along the way that could prove unfavourable for your planter and your plant as well. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you get started.

• Metal planters are prone to corrosion: 

Metal planters such as brass come with an unavoidable risk of corrosion. In addition, leaving your live plant in the planter unattended for an extended period could leave scaling marks, verdigris and promote the growth of algae and infection-causing pests at the bottom of your planter.

• Brass planters must not be filled with soil:

It is unwise to fill your brass vessel with soil and gravel for your live plant. Direct contact with damp elements speeds up the process of corrosion that ultimately wrecks your brass vessel. Always ensure that you are placing the entire plant pot into the vessel.

• Pay attention to your watering cycles:

Always line your brass planter with a tray or a shallow bowl to collect water draining from your plants. If your plant pot is in contact with the tray, it should reabsorb the excess water as the soil dries up. If it hangs above the tray, you must empty the tray and thoroughly clean it before slipping it back into the planter.

How to Set Up Your Planters

1. Start by using a clean and dry brass vessel of your choice, preferable with a flattened rim on the outer edge for larger plants.
2. Set a tray or a shallow bowl at the bottom to collect excess water or drips from your plant.
3. Gently lower your plant into the vessel and set the pot edge over your rim. If your pot is not as wide, lower it at a comfortable angle and ensure that you can remove it easily.
4. For plants/planters where the soil is visible, you can add decorative stones and pebbles to contrast the planter’s green and gold colour palette.
5. You can set artificial plants the same way, and you need not add a protective tray underneath the plant as it will not come into contact with water.
6. For setting twigs of artificial flowers and long, artificial bamboo stems, fill the vessel with dry sand or gravel to provide adequate support.
7. If you wish to turn your antique vessels into bud vases, be sure to add a small glass tumbler or a sturdy plastic cup inside your brass vessel to ensure there is no contact with water.

Still unclear on how to go about it? Watch this quick tutorial on how to set up brass planters at home!

As it turns out, there are a variety of options when it comes to brass planters. Making the best out of the items you have is a resourceful way of going about it, but that isn’t where the story ends. Knowing how to set up, handle and take care of your planters is equally essential.

Found this quick planter guide helpful? Or found another fun way of setting them up? Let us know in the comments below!

To shop from a wide range of brass and bronze vessels, click here.